Where are FZ8 Users?

[Six-GHz]

Gone through many reviews available from the net, debated between head and heart (and bank account), and toyed several cameras from the shops. I've finally narrowed my choice of upgrade to an FZ8.

However, one thing that stood out is that why are there so few FZ8 users in CS? There are at least a few months since its release, but till now I only notice Pauche as the solo flag-bearer!

Any comments or feedback for this model? Thanks a million!

[armadillo]

I guess it's depend from which camera you upgrade to.
If you currently hv FZ5 or FZ7, personally I don't think you want to upgrade to FZ8.
I'm using FZ7 for around a year. From the review I find the Venus Engine III doesn't perform very well.
Just my 2 cents

[ricohflex]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz Gone through many reviews available from the net, debated between head and heart (and bank account), and toyed several cameras from the shops. I've finally narrowed my choice of upgrade to an FZ8. However, one thing that stood out is that why are there so few FZ8 users in CS? There are at least a few months since its release, but till now I only notice Pauche as the solo flag-bearer! Any comments or feedback for this model? Thanks a million!

Future FZ8 users are waiting for you to

buy the FZ8, be unhappy about the Venus III, sell it in CS marketplace.

Then they can buy it at 50% of new price?

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by armadillo I guess it's depend from which camera you upgrade to. If you currently hv FZ5 or FZ7, personally I don't think you want to upgrade to FZ8. I'm using FZ7 for around a year. From the review I find the Venus Engine III doesn't perform very well. Just my 2 cents

I had been using the TZ1, so the move to FZ8 can be called an upgrade! Yes, I agree there are some noise issue with Lumix cameras, but isn't that the case for all digital compacts, to varying degree? Let's not compare with dSLR capabilities (I'm not there yet!)... I'm one who have yet to go into such technicalities, so a little "imperfection" is still tolerable!

So how do you find your FZ7 so far and what's your recommendations? Thanks!

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by ricohflex Future FZ8 users are waiting for you to buy the FZ8, be unhappy about the Venus III, sell it in CS marketplace. Then they can buy it at 50% of new price?

So jia lat meh? I haven't heard much about the Venus III engine other than its "noise reduction is rather aggressive". But how does that affect in laymen's term and everyday's usage?

[schon]

i've got an fz5 for sale in case anyone's interested.

not as many additional 'features' as the fz7 or 8, but image quality-wise... you decide.

[ExplorerZ]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz So jia lat meh? I haven't heard much about the Venus III engine other than its "noise reduction is rather aggressive". But how does that affect in laymen's term and everyday's usage?

if you don print more than 4R, i say no difference unless you whacking at ISO3200(is there any? _

[armadillo]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz I had been using the TZ1, so the move to FZ8 can be called an upgrade! Yes, I agree there are some noise issue with Lumix cameras, but isn't that the case for all digital compacts, to varying degree? Let's not compare with dSLR capabilities (I'm not there yet!)... I'm one who have yet to go into such technicalities, so a little "imperfection" is still tolerable! So how do you find your FZ7 so far and what's your recommendations? Thanks!

So far I can say quite happy with my FZ7, although now most of the time using Fuji F31fd. The good thing of FZ7 is the superzoom. I guess TZ1 also have a quite a big zoom range, the only thing TZ1 doesn't have full manual control.
So my recommendation, you shd really try out the FZ8 b4 purchase, maybe bring your own SD card, go to the shop, take some sample shoots and compare

[Six-GHz]

Hmmm... bringing my own card there for sampling? Sounds like some pickpocketing in the making (!) but it's a good idea. Will do! Thanks.

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by ExplorerZ if you don print more than 4R, i say no difference unless you whacking at ISO3200(is there any? _

You're right... I rarely go more than 4R!

[armadillo]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz Hmmm... bringing my own card there for sampling? Sounds like some pickpocketing in the making (!) but it's a good idea. Will do! Thanks.

I did that b4 finalize my purchase of FZ7
Ofcourse you tell the sales that you put it ur own sd card, but normally all the test camera doesn't come with the SD inside

[Pauche]

The Fz8 is my first Lumix and I am pretty happy with it. However ISO800 and above is almost unusable. The ultra zoom and the image stabilizer works pretty well too.

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by Pauche The Fz8 is my first Lumix and I am pretty happy with it. However ISO800 and above is almost unusable. The ultra zoom and the image stabilizer works pretty well too.

Hi Pauche, nice to hear from the sole flag-bearer, glad to know you're pretty happy with your cam. I know high ISO is unusable, I tried mine at ISO1600 and it turned out with pretty smudged and flat faces, if you know what I mean! Anything other than ISO issue that irks you?

Other than that, how is it for everyday usage, in terms of portability, response time, colour and image reproduction? And on that note, do you know about the standard of Lumix agent? I know these queries are mostly personal, but my feel is to get some real feedback from the users.

I must apologise for the barrage of questions, cos it seems that there are not too many FZ8 users around!

[ExplorerZ]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz Hi Pauche, nice to hear from the sole flag-bearer, glad to know you're pretty happy with your cam. I know high ISO is unusable, I tried mine at ISO1600 and it turned out with pretty smudged and flat faces, if you know what I mean! Anything other than ISO issue that irks you? Other than that, how is it for everyday usage, in terms of portability, response time, colour and image reproduction? And on that note, do you know about the standard of Lumix agent? I know these queries are mostly personal, but my feel is to get some real feedback from the users. I must apologise for the barrage of questions, cos it seems that there are not too many FZ8 users around!

dono about fz8... but most fz5/7 user I know of have upgrade to dSLR... including me.

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by ExplorerZ dono about fz8... but most fz5/7 user I know of have upgrade to dSLR... including me.

So it's a good stepping-stone to start off before jumping onto the dSLR wagon?

[ExplorerZ]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz So it's a good stepping-stone to start off before jumping onto the dSLR wagon?

definitely.

[Six-GHz]

From MS Colours today, FZ8 for $650 with GST, while canon S3IS is going for $630. Argggh... I'm poisoned deep... lock, stock and buttocks! Gotta pay MSC a homage real soon!

[Pauche]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz Hi Pauche, nice to hear from the sole flag-bearer, glad to know you're pretty happy with your cam. I know high ISO is unusable, I tried mine at ISO1600 and it turned out with pretty smudged and flat faces, if you know what I mean! Anything other than ISO issue that irks you? Other than that, how is it for everyday usage, in terms of portability, response time, colour and image reproduction? And on that note, do you know about the standard of Lumix agent? I know these queries are mostly personal, but my feel is to get some real feedback from the users. I must apologise for the barrage of questions, cos it seems that there are not too many FZ8 users around!

This is the lightest camera among its class, comparing with Sony H5/7/9, Canon S3IS, Olympus 550SP, etc.... Very good response time as long as you are not shooting in RAW. Has the ability to support SDHC card of 4Gb and above.

The 12x zoom works well with the IS. If you set your cam at 5Mpx, u get 14.4x OPTICAL zoom, at 3Mpx, u get 18x OPTICAL zoom. Can't remember what technology they call it.

I prefer the grip of the FZ8 over the S3IS. It feels more comfy for my big hands. The 2.5inch LCD screen is clear and sharp. The user interface is quite user-friendly as compared to Olympus. And yes, battery life is excellent..... especially the aftermarket 1700mAh ones.... can use for 4 days w/o charging and take at least 400 picss!!!!

The above are personal opinions only, Canon/Sony/Olympus users pls do not flame me!!!

[ExplorerZ]

Originally Posted by Pauche This is the lightest camera among its class, comparing with Sony H5/7/9, Canon S3IS, Olympus 550SP, etc.... Very good response time as long as you are not shooting in RAW. Has the ability to support SDHC card of 4Gb and above. The 12x zoom works well with the IS. If you set your cam at 5Mpx, u get 14.4x OPTICAL zoom, at 3Mpx, u get 18x OPTICAL zoom. Can't remember what technology they call it. I prefer the grip of the FZ8 over the S3IS. It feels more comfy for my big hands. The 2.5inch LCD screen is clear and sharp. The user interface is quite user-friendly as compared to Olympus. And yes, battery life is excellent..... especially the aftermarket 1700mAh ones.... can use for 4 days w/o charging and take at least 400 picss!!!! The above are personal opinions only, Canon/Sony/Olympus users pls do not flame me!!!

I believe its called crop.